STUDENTS from a Rossendale school got to witness first hand the horror of a road traffic accident as part of a special crime awareness event.

The youngsters from Whitworth High School were given a scenario which ended with an mock offender crashing a stolen car.

He then needed cutting free by the fire service before being taken to hospital by paramedics.

Police officers, paramedics, Youth Offending team workers, Group 4 security staff and Her Majesty’s court service all took part in the event.

The scenario was followed by an accident investigation, and mock youth court as well as a presentation by Group 4 on offender tagging.

Commenting on the event, PCSO Heidi Kirkbright said: “Thankfully relatively few of our youngsters are involved in crime.

"However, the more we can do to increase awareness of crime and its consequences the better.

“This was a thought- provoking event which I hope will have given our youngsters some very real food for thought.”